Train-order-delivery light



Oct. 14, 1930. SHUMAKER 1,778,373

TRAIN ORDER DELIVERY LIGHT Filed May 2, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 134-0. CI Syd 74x5? I N V EN TOR.

ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 14, 1930 UNITED STATES FREDERIC C. SHUMAKER,

OF SANGER, CALIFORNIA TRAIN-ORDER-DELIVERY LIGHT Application filed May 2,

This invention relates to a train order delivery light and it is an object of the invention to provide a structure of this kind to facilitate the delivery of a train order to a passing train and to permit such delivery to be effected with a minimum of danger to the person delivering the order.

It is also an object of the invention to provide means for positioning of the location from which delivery is to be made together with means for directing a beam of light in a manner to facilitate the collection of the train order by a fireman or other member of a train crew while the train is in transit.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a light of this kind supported in a manner whereby the same may be concealed out of the way when not in useand wherein the illuminating unit may be adjusted in a 2 manner to direct a beam of light in opposite directions with respect to a trackway as may be occasioned by the direction in which the train is traveling.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind comprising a staff carrying a lamp or illuminating unit adapted to be adjusted into either of two fixed positions, said staff being mounted in a manner to permit the same to be positioned in substantially a vertical position and maintained in such position until released.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my im- 7 proved train order delivery light whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed'to describe the same with reference to the accor panying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a delivery light constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention, an asso- 1929. Serial No. 359,966.

ciated station platform and trackway being shown in fragment;

Figure 2 is a view partly in vertical section and partly in elevation of the structure directly associated with a lighting or illuminatlng unit, a second or inoperative position of said illuminating unit being indicated by broken lines;

Figure 3 is a view partly in section and partly in top plan of the structure as illustrated in Figure 2;

Figure 4; is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 4t4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational View of the upper portion of the staff and the illuminating member or unit mounted thereon;

Figure 6 is an elevational View of the structure as illustrated in Figure 5 directly to the rear of the illuminating member or lamp;

Flg'ure 7 is a viewpartly in section and partly 1n top plan and also of a diagrammatic character indicating the two fixed positions adapted to be assumed by the illuminating member or lamp;

Figure 8 is a sectional view of the lower portion of the staff. As disclosed in the accompanying drawmgs, P denotes a platform of any conventional or preferred construction which has its curve 1, as is customary, disposed in relatively close proximity to the outer rail 2 of an adjacent trackway.

llaced within the structure of the platform 1s a casing C of desired dimensions and configuration, the upper face of which being open and adapted to be closed by a door or lid of any desired type. The casino; 0, as herein disclosed is oblong in form and in practice the casing C is placed within the platform P with the outer longitudinal wall of the casing spaced approximately seventytwo inc ies from the center of the adjacent rail 2. Mounted upon the bottom wall 3 of the casing C innnediately adjacent to an end wall 4 thereof are the transversely spaced bearing blocks 5 which provide a mounting for an end portion of an elongated staff S. This staff S comprises an elongated tubular member 6 of desired length having one end other and both of which having their outer ends closed by the caps 14. These trunnions '12 have direct engagement with the bearing blocks 5 whereby the staii'S is mounted for swiging .movement in a vertical. direction. The interior dimensions of the casing C are such that when the stall" S is swung downwardly said staff together with the unit or lamp L will becompletely housed within said casing G, as indicated by broken lines in Figure 2 ot-the accompanying drawings.

;W hen the staff S is lowered within the easing C the outer portion thereof rests upon and is supported by a suitably positioned block or bolster 15 mounted upon the bottom wall 3 of the casingC.

The conductor 9 within the member 6 and closely ad]acent to the coupling A has in terposed there n a conventional switch which 'is-adapted to be opened and closed in a well known manner by a sliding operator 16. This operator '16 is slidably directed through the member 6 and when'moved'in one direction I results in the closing of the switch and upon movement in the opposite direction to open theswitch. Then the staff S is swung upwardly to its vertical position, the operator 16 in the present embodiment of my invention has contact with an inwardly disposed lug 17 carried by the adjacent end wall 4 resulting in th operating circuit for the lamp or lighting unit'to be closed, and when the stafl S is swung down within the casing C this operator 16 has contact with an upclosed is constructed in accordance standing lug 18 suitably positioned upon the bottom wall 3 ofthe casing 0 resulting in'the switch being opened.

The end wall 4 adjacent to the-staff S is provided with the inwardly directed spring jaws 19-which receive therebetween and frict-ionally engage the stat? S when raised and serve-to maintain the staff in its desired elevated position until released by an employee.

The lamp or lighting unit L, as herein disvith a conventional and well known typeot spot light and said lampor member proper is disposed laterally from the upper end portion of a barrel or sleeve 20 snugly engagesL with the upper portion of the member 6 of the stall S. This lamp or unit Lis also disposed upwardly on an angle of about forty degrees with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the barrel 20; The lower end portion oi the barrel 20, or that end portion disposed inwardly of the member 6, is defined by an outstanding flange 21 with which coaccs hem above an inwardly disposed flange 22 car led by a nut 23. This nut 23 threads upon sleeve 24 surrounding the'member 6 and fixed thereto in any desired manner.

The mounting of the barrel 20, as herein disclosedi permits the same to readily rotate .around the member 6 of the staff S but is efiectively held against endwise movement thereby eliminatlng displacement. The wall of the member 6 withm the barrel 20 is provided with a pair of circun'iterentially spaced opemngs25 with whlch is adapted to selectively register an opening 26 in the wall of the barrel 20. The barrel 26 exteriorlythereotcarries a'lever Q'Zpivotally supported as at 28, at a' desired point, one end'ot which having an inwardlydisposed nose 29 for passage through-the opening 26 and an aligning opening-25 wherebv'themember or unit L vwillbe fixedly held in either of itstwo positions. The opposite end portion otthe lever 27 has coacting therewith aleaf spring 30 carried byth'ezadjacent end portion of the barrel 20, said spring 30,0perating to con.-

.stantly urge the nose 29 inwar lly.

When'the lamp orjunit L is in either of its two fixed positions the beam of light emitted therefrom is .on ail-upwardly disposed angle and also on anangle toward :the track so that when a. person takes a pro aer pos1t1on at afdesired slde otthe lamp, or-unit L and extends lns arm outwardly'the conventional message hoopcarried-bythe hand of such extended arnrwill-be directly within said beam of light.

approaching train who isto catch-the hoop.

At a desired distance beyondeither end of the casing C the platform 1 is provided with a suitable indication 31 to denote the position to be taken by 'the person to deliver the message and it is to be noted'that the staff S when raised into working position is sub- .stantially midway the indications 31 so that the beam of light will be efiective when disposed in either of its two positions. In practice, I find it of-advantageto have the indications 31 spaced apart ten feet and also to have said, indications 81, positioned inwardly from the curve 1 of the platform toassure approximately six feet from the adjacent rail 2. It is preferred that the beam of light be disposed toward the track way on an angle of approximatelythirty degrees.

From the foregoing description it is thought to obvious. thata train order delivery light. constructedin accordance with 'my invention is particularly well adapted for This will result in eiiective illumination of the hoop with no light rays in the eyes of said person or of the firemen or other mer ber of the crew on the ECO Liv

use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim 1. In combination with a station platform and a trackway adjacent thereto, an illuminating member, and means for supporting said member on the platform to throw a beam of light on an upward incline and in a direction lengthwise of the trackway and also in a direction toward said trackway.

2. In combination with a station platform and a trackway adjacent thereto, an illuminating member, and means for supporting said member on the platform to throw a beam of light on an upward incline and in a direction lengthwise of the trackway and also in a direction toward said trackway, said illuminating member being rotatably engaged with its supporting means to permit the member to throw its beam selectively in either direction lengthwise-of the trackway.

3. A device of the class described comprising a casing, an elongated stafi, means for swingly mounting one end portion of the staff within the casing to permit the staff to be raised from the casing or lowered therein, resilient clamping means carried by a wall of the casing and coacting with the stafl' to hold the staff elevated, and an illuminating member carried by the opposite end portion of the staff.

4. A device of the class described comprising a casing, an elongated tubular stafi, oppositely disposed and laterally directed trunnions carried by one end portion of the staff, bearings mounted in the casing with which the trunnions engage to permit the staff to raise or lower, an illuminating member of an electrical type carried by the opposite end portion of the staff, and conductors for the illuminating member extending through the tubular staff.

5. A device of the class described comprising a casing, an elongated tubular staff, means for swingingly mounting one end portion of the staff within the casing to permit the staff to be raised from the casing or lowered therein, clamping means carried by a wall of the casing and coacting with the staff to hold the staff elevated, and an illuminating member carried by the opposite end portion of the staff, the topof the casing being open, and a lid for closing said opening.

6. A device of the class described comprising an elongated staff, means coacting with an end portion of the staff to permit the staff FREDERIC C. SHUMAKER. 

